While the opening release on the South Fork of the American was on Saturday, this year there was tons of fun to be had all weekend in the central California mountains. Saturday was a day filled with on-river clinics by Jackson Kayak pros and a big party at California Canoe & Kayak, all to support American Whitewater.
I got the opportunity to tag along with a great class 3 river play group down the Chili Bar section of the American. The clinic was lead by Colin Kemp and Noah Fraser, both skilled paddlers and expert instructors. It was a high water day on the river and many of the less experienced paddlers were challenged, but all stepped up and had an amazing day on the river. I got to enjoy some fun surfs, great rapids and some rescue and instructor practice.
The party was fun for all. BBQ, gear raffle, live music, a kayak movie and LOTS of quality Ninkasi beer. All funds were raised for American Whitewater to help keep rivers like the American open to all river users. The film screening was called “Locked In,” and was about the Berriman River expedition that Ben Stooksberry and crew put together for Red Bull TV (Watch The Film). It opened a lot of eyes on the difficulty level that expedition kayaking has attained. Impressive film on all fronts. Oh yea, did I mentioned cold Ninkasi beer flowing on draft all night!!! 
I was lucky enough to get the invite to the event from my friends at Ninkasi, which meant all kinds of fun adventures all weekend. We started the weekend off right with a fun kayak run down the Chamberlain Falls section of the N Fork American, and finished the day off with some paragliding and kite flying amongst the spring wild flowers. While I didn’t get to go paragliding on this trip, I did fly a power kite, take a ton of pictures, and got to hang with a ton of rad people. 
To finish off the weekend the crew rolled towards Lake Tahoe, as the weather conditions were ideal for a paragliding flight at a spot called “Day Dreams,” which launches at the California/Nevada border and lands at Kings Beach. I was stoked to get in a great hike, meet some new friends and get the opportunity to photograph these bright paragliders over the lake. I must admit that I want to FLY! The stoke from this sport is contagious. 
For a TON more photos from the weekend be sure to check out the Facebook Album HERE.
